Released by: Deputy Jeff Winters
Assistant SAR Coordinator
Occurred: 07/31/2017 at 6:15 p.m.
Location: Three Sisters Wilderness
Wickiup Plains area
Rider: 74 year old female
Sharon Kay Andreasen
Fall Creek Oregon
NARRATIVE:
On 07/31/2017 at about 6:15 p.m., Robert Andreasen called Deschutes County 911 reporting his wife, Sharon, had been thrown from her horse, was injured and needed help.
Robert stated Sharon was on the “Wickiup Plains” trail near the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. Immediately after the incident, Robert rode his horse out to the Devil’s Lake trail head where he made the 911 call.
Robert reported that Sharon was alone and described her injuries as potentially serious. Additionally, Sharon’s horse had ran off after throwing her.
Within minutes after getting the 911 call, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit was notified. A total of 13 volunteers and one Deputy responded to the call.
It turned out that three SAR members were recreating at Mt. Bachelor. Those three immediately headed to Sharon’s location and were the first on scene, while another hasty team of two responded from Bend. Another team of eight members was formed to assist with the liter extrication if needed.
Upon reaching Sharon and assessing her injuries, it was determined that an air ambulance would be needed to safely extricate her from the wilderness. Air Link of Bend was notified and agreed to assist with the rescue.
The second hasty team arriving on scene was able to catch Sharon’s horse and secured it to a tree. Robert was then notified and came back to the scene to retrieve her horse.
Just before 9:00 p.m., the Air Link helicopter landed near Sharon’s location. Sharon was flown via Air Link to St. Charles in Bend with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The SAR team them made the nearly 4 mile trek back to the trail head.
It is unknown what the experience level of the riders was and exactly what caused the horse to throw Sharon off.
